International Kpop Star Comes to Portland
Reported by and photographed by Jen Wright
The crowd murmurs, restless, as the lights go down. Bodies onstage shuffle around in the dark, dancers getting in position. Suddenly, bright lights illuminate the stage, and screams and shouts fill the air as Eric Nam pops up from the stage floor, the first notes of his single “Come Through” crooning through the speakers.
Eric Nam’s “Before We Begin” world tour came to Portland’s Wonder Ballroom on March 7, and the sold-out show was an unforgettable spectacle for the eyes, ears and heart.
The event started hours before the actual concert, with fans lining up down the block as early as 5 p.m. for the 9 p.m. show, eager to get a spot as close to the stage as possible. Wrapped in blankets and holding spots in line while friends foraged for food, these fans were all-in to see the Korean-American singer on his first-ever Portland stop.
Enigmatic and gorgeous, Nam commands the stage--all 400 square feet of it--and electrifies the audience into action, jumping and jostling on the jam-packed floor, holding the microphone out to the fans screaming the lyrics out loud—and not just for the songs in English, the ones in Korean as well. Everyone danced and sang along regardless.
Los Angeles pop duo Frenship opened for Nam, interacting with the audience as they played several songs, including their 2016 hit “Capsize” and an unreleased song titled “Anywhere But Here.”
Nam’s setlist was varied, mixing his current EP with past records, like his R&B “Cave Me In” featuring Gallant and Tablo and “Touch My Body,” featuring Timbaland. He picked up the pace with “I Don’t Miss You,” “Honestly,” and electro-pop singles “Idea of You” and “Potion” featuring Woodie Gochild.
He then slowed down the set with some ballad and R&B numbers like “Love Die Young,” “How’m I Doing,” “Wonder,” and “Good For You.” These were followed with several high-energy dance tracks like “This is Not a Love Song,” “Don’t Call Me,” “I Can’t Help Myself,” and “Congratulations” featuring Marc E. Bassy, along with his encore “You’re Sexy I’m Sexy.”
Nam brings a different feel to the pop genre, calling back to his Atlanta roots. His peppy ballads have a southern charm, and he blends genres and languages that speak to his intercultural identity, as he referred to in a recent episode of the music podcast SongExploder. His pursuit of a career in music led him to travel to Korea, where he established himself as a singer, celebrity show host and interviewer.
The concert was a wonderful experience, and I left captivated by Nam and eager to listen to more of his music. If his next tour stops in Portland, I will be sure to grab a ticket before they sell out.